jon hedgecorth :: Friends blog

http://htod.cdncon.com/o2/rzimht/MP3/LMPT/LMPTCD303-2-1.mp3

If you’re a fan of games and puzzles, you’re undoubtedly familiar with the New York Times crossword. Well-known for its progressive difficulty (the easiest puzzle is published on Monday, with Sunday’s puzzle being the most difficult) and seemingly impossible word clues, this small piece of newsprint sends countless people running to the reference section for a dictionary and thesaurus each week. While you might not be one of the many scrambling for the meaning of the word “unction” or a synonym for the word “pusillanimous,” chances are you have been in search of meaning of a different sort: the meaning of life. Join us as Ravi Zacharias takes a look at human existence and probes deeper for the purpose for mankind in his message, In Search of Meaning.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNickAndJoshPodcast/~3/501369456/e

In this episode, Joshua Case gives us a talk given by Eboo Patel at the Re-Envisioning Leadership conference hosted by The Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia.

http://htod.cdncon.com/o2/rzimht/MP3/LMPT/LMPTCD301-2-3.mp3

If the news were to break tomorrow that a well-known religious leader hadn’t been such a saint - if in fact he or she had used their ministry as a front for illegal gambling - do you think people would still refer to him or her as a “good person”? Well, Jesus Christ claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. He claimed to be God’s very own Son. Yet many people who reject his claim still believe he was a “good person.” Is there any reason to believe the words of Jesus? Was He merely a lunatic, or a liar? Or was He indeed God’s Son sent to bring people into a relationship with God Himself? Join Ravi Zacharias as he examines the central figure of the Christian faith in his message, Who is Jesus, and Why Does it Matter?

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheNickAndJoshPodcast/~3/492356363/e

In this episode we have Dr. Peter Rollins giving an Advent Reflection

http://htod.cdncon.com/o2/rzimht/MP3/LMPT/LMPTCD301-2-2.mp3

If the news were to break tomorrow that a well-known religious leader hadn’t been such a saint - if in fact he or she had used their ministry as a front for illegal gambling - do you think people would still refer to him or her as a “good person”? Well, Jesus Christ claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. He claimed to be God’s very own Son. Yet many people who reject his claim still believe he was a “good person.” Is there any reason to believe the words of Jesus? Was He merely a lunatic, or a liar? Or was He indeed God’s Son sent to bring people into a relationship with God Himself? Join Ravi Zacharias as he examines the central figure of the Christian faith in his message, Who is Jesus, and Why Does it Matter?

http://htod.cdncon.com/o2/rzimht/MP3/LMPT/LMPTCD301-2-1.mp3

If the news were to break tomorrow that a well-known religious leader hadn’t been such a saint - if in fact he or she had used their ministry as a front for illegal gambling - do you think people would still refer to him or her as a “good person”? Well, Jesus Christ claimed to be the way, the truth, and the life. He claimed to be God’s very own Son. Yet many people who reject his claim still believe he was a “good person.” Is there any reason to believe the words of Jesus? Was He merely a lunatic, or a liar? Or was He indeed God’s Son sent to bring people into a relationship with God Himself? Join Ravi Zacharias as he examines the central figure of the Christian faith in his message, Who is Jesus, and Why Does it Matter?

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/483924499/missiona

Alan Hirsch clears up the word "missional" for an American audience at Leadership Journal. Good article and I totally back up Alan, not just because he is a good mate, but also because he is right. Although I would argue with Alan, most probably over a beer, that the word "emerging" and "emergent" has been used consistently for a good century NOT as a renewal movement, as Alan suggests, but rather as a description of the new forms of church in pioneer missionary (overseas) settings, and in the past 40 years to refer to the new forms of church arising as a result of intentional mission in the home countries. However, not everyone reads old mission books like us geeks and the meaning of words is always in constant flux . . . so I will cut Alan some slack.

Speaking of Alan and loving disagreements, Dan Kimball had some missional misgivings recently and Alan responded with some good . . . um . . response. Its called "Dan Kimball on Missional Church Effectiveness".

Related: Did you ever read Alan's book The Forgotten Ways? It's excellent and it should be on your bookshelf. Heres more info.

Technorati Tags: mission, missional

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/483909444/in-yeovi

Yeovil, England. Pronounced "Yo - vil". Sylvester Stallone would feel quite at home here.

I was here today for the Tribal Generation meeting. Great to see so many Brazilians who are now bringing the gospel to Europe. There were other nationalities also. JP from France who is now working in Belgium. One Brazilian who started 10 churches in North India, and is now also working in Belgium. Others from everywhere working everywhere.

That was a big theme - multi-directional mission. This was also something i talked about when i was asked to say a few things. I thought it interesting hearing Olgavaro talk about starting movements and keeping things simple, and expecting a little mess because its all very new and chaotic. Interesting, because the Assembly of God missionaries who went to Brazil many decades ago were influenced by Roland Allen's "Missionary Methods: St Paul's or Ours?" which had a similar message. It was like hearing the echo of the simple message of the gospel that went out to Brazil now coming back to Europe.

Reminds me of when I used to make big waves in the bathtub as a kid [i dont do it anymore, really!] watching the wave go forward and then come back, and then go forward again and back. Missions is a bit like that. And it seems like we are at one of those full-circle moments when the wave is coming back to hit us in the face and remind us of the simple ways of Christ and his apostles.

Back in London tomorrow and then home.

Worth Diversion: I had a cup of tea with the grandson of missionary Roland Allen

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/483951208/nea-in-t

Richard Cizik resigned his position at National Association of Evangelicals this week. Sounds a bit too quick to me. 28 years service and one short interview, a few words out of line with NEA and he's out. What about some discussion? Some perspective? Some time for him to elaborate?

Best piece on this toic: Leith Anderson on CT

Technorati Tags: nea, richard cizik

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/482479802/download

I am having breakfast with Jonny Baker in London this morning. Jonny and friends have developed a series of downloadable Christmas goodies. This Advent resource for your church worship is called "Nine" because there are 9 of them and it will cost you 9 pounds.

INE